A special gun is checked in Thursday for examination and appraisal at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase at the George R. Brown Convention Center. What is it worth?

A special gun is checked in Thursday for examination and appraisal at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase at the George R. Brown Convention Center. What is it worth?

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Staff

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Barry Bailey, of DeRidder La., gives his wife Judy a kiss, before having their 1873 Winchester shotgun appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday
( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) less

Barry Bailey, of DeRidder La., gives his wife Judy a kiss, before having their 1873 Winchester shotgun appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Staff

Image 17 of 30

NRA attendees wait outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center to have their guns appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendees wait outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center to have their guns appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 30

Barry Bailey and his wife Judy, of DeRidder La., walk out hand-in-hand, after having their 1873 Winchester shotgun appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

Barry Bailey and his wife Judy, of DeRidder La., walk out hand-in-hand, after having their 1873 Winchester shotgun appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 19 of 30

NRA attendee Janet Bero waits to have her German Luger appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendee Janet Bero waits to have her German Luger appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 20 of 30

NRA attendee Janet Bero and her husband, David, of Newark, Ohio, has their German Luger appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendee Janet Bero and her husband, David, of Newark, Ohio, has their German Luger appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 30

NRA attendees Andy and Patricia McCaleb, of Birmingham, Ala., have their 1884 Colt Sheriff appraised by Joe Pittenger, center, at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendees Andy and Patricia McCaleb, of Birmingham, Ala., have their 1884 Colt Sheriff appraised by Joe Pittenger, center, at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 30

Donna Copeland of Magnolia has her gun appraised by S.P. Fjestad at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

Donna Copeland of Magnolia has her gun appraised by S.P. Fjestad at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 30

Karen Smith, of Magnolia, has her gun checked in at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

Karen Smith, of Magnolia, has her gun checked in at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 30

NRA attendees Andy and Patricia McCaleb, of Birmingham, Ala., have their 1884 Colt Sheriff appraised by Joe Pittenger, center, at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendees Andy and Patricia McCaleb, of Birmingham, Ala., have their 1884 Colt Sheriff appraised by Joe Pittenger, center, at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 25 of 30

NRA attendee, Bud Clark of Magnolia, has his WWl German Luger appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendee, Bud Clark of Magnolia, has his WWl German Luger appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 30

NRA attendee, Bud Clark, left, of Magnolia, has his WWl German Luger appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendee, Bud Clark, left, of Magnolia, has his WWl German Luger appraised at the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 27 of 30

NRA attendees make their way to the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendees make their way to the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 28 of 30

NRA attendees make their way to the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendees make their way to the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 29 of 30

NRA attendee Janet Bero, of Newark, Ohio, has her Winchester rifles appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Houston.
NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase is a television show that runs on the Sportsman Channel.
The 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits runs from Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5. More than 70,000 are expected to attend the event with more than 500 exhibitors represented. The convention will features training and education demos, the Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase, book signings, speakers including Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin as well as NRA Youth Day on Sunday less

NRA attendee Janet Bero, of Newark, Ohio, has her Winchester rifles appraised during the NRA's Antiques Guns and Gold Showcase during the National Rifle Association's 142 Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 30 of 30

Assault rifles, zombie targets among the mix of attractions at NRA hall

The historic: a display of a century-old, side-by-side Parker Brothers shotguns, long out of production but so well-made and with such a storied past that their cachet among wingshooters is as strong today as when they were hand-crafted four generations ago.

Covering almost eight acres of the George R. Brown Convention Center and holding offerings from more than 500 exhibitors, the exhibit hall of the National Rifle Association's Annual Meetings and Exhibits is, for many of the 70,000 or so association members attending the gathering, the main attraction.

While the "meetings" part of the event's official title, especially the forums and rallies with high-profile speakers, are focused on controversies and tinged with no little tension and combativeness, the exhibits offer a different vibe. The majority of the thousands of NRA members streaming through the exhibit hall aisles on the convention center's first floor were not talking politics and public policy. They were there to indulge their shared, if hugely diverse, passions for firearms.

"I've really been enjoying this," Carl Bechtel, an NRA member from Kemah, said Friday as he examined a Buck Mark .22-caliber rifle at the Browning booth in the exhibit hall. "It's a chance to check out new stuff. I've spent so much time in one booth asking questions I was sure they were going to throw me out. But they were happy to talk.

"The only problem is, I've been here since 9 this morning, and I'm not a third of the way through," he said. "You'd need two weeks to see everything in here."

The scale and range of the exhibits and the diversity of products drawing the thickest clumps of people reflected the differences of interest bound to exist in any organization with 5 million members.

While military-style semi-automatic rifles and similarly modeled shotguns - called "black guns," "modern sporting firearms," "tactical firearms" or "assault weapons," depending on who's describing them - were steady draws, they were rivalled by the much more traditional firearms, particularly those with much older pedigrees.

"There's interest in the tactical models, but not as much as I expected," said Christie Gates of Benelli USA. "So far, the Uberti line is really popular, here."

These "old" guns, especially lever-action models of Winchester and Henry rifles from the 1860s through the 1880s as well as revolvers mimicking Colt's eponymous 1873 single-action revolver, were popular with exhibit goers, most of whom said they used the pieces for "plinking" (recreational target shooting) and participating in 'cowboy action" shoots where participants recreate settings and situations from frontier times.

One of the most popular pieces in the display was Uberti's reproduction of the 1847 Walker Colt, a black powder pistol built by Samuel Colt with design help from Samuel Walker, a famous Texas Ranger. The Walker Colt was a seminal firearm in Texas' history, bigger and heavier and throwing a larger bullet than earlier Colt models - it weighs 4-1/2 pounds and fires a .44-caliber ball.

The huge pistols became famous through the exploits of Walker and other Texas Rangers such as Jack Hays and John Ford, and the gun's success saved Colt's then-struggling business.

An original Walker Colt (only about 1,100 were made) recently sold at auction for $920,000.

Uberti's reproduction goes for about $400.

The Action Trackstander is a little more expensive - about $12,000. But the battery-powered, track-driven "all terrain wheelchair" gives physically challenged persons a way to access "off the hard surfaces" places where they can indulge their passions for outdoor activities.

"There are a lot of disabled people who enjoy the outdoors - hunting, shooting, fishing and just getting out in the woods," said Paul Carlson, a Minnesota resident involved with the Texas-based business distributing the camouflaged vehicles that allow users to traverse just about any terrain, including shallow water.

Users can sit in the Trackstander and be lifted to a standing position. The 350-pound vehicle, operated using joysticks, can move 3-5 mph and has proven hugely popular with physically-challenged hunters and anglers, Carlson said. Fit with braces and holders designed to accommodate all manner of outdoors gear, including fishing rods, tackle boxes and even a rack for a rifle or shotgun, the chair is designed to get users to places they can enjoy the outdoors.

Karen Monroe, a Louisiana resident who travelled to Houston to attending the NRA convention, was taken with the "four-wheel-drive wheelchair." Left unable to walk after an accident when she was a young adult, Monroe has struggled to continue the outdoors pursuits she enjoys.

"You just can't get to some places in most chairs," she said. "I never knew a chair like this existed. I can sure see myself using one of these to get back in the woods, and deer hunt, again. It could change my life!"

Monroe, who said she planned to attend a couple of NRA seminars - "the one on cooking wild game, for sure" - hoped to spend most of her two-day visit browsing the cavernous exhibit hall.

"There's so much in here that interests me," she said. "It's like a big candy store for people who like to shoot."